Box - Porcelain, Wood - Two Kogo Incense Boxes

Title: Two Tea Ceremony Incense Containers (Kogo) – Maki-e Lacquer Kogo & Mandarin Duck Porcelain Kogo

1. Red Urushi Lacquer Kogo with Gold Maki-e Celestials & Auspicious Beasts Pattern, Paulownia Box
Dimensions: H 3.2 cm (1.26 in) × W 5.3 cm (2.09 in)
Weight: 46.2 g
Paulownia box (共箱) size: H 6 cm (2.36 in) × W 7 cm (2.76 in) × D 7 cm (3.82 in)
Material: Solid wood base, natural urushi lacquer (大漆), gold maki-e (金莳绘)
Period: Showa era, circa 1980–1990
Included accessories: Paulownia storage box, yellow silk cloth

2. Kiyomizu Ware Ninsei-Style Polychrome Gilt Mandarin Duck Kogo, Paulownia Box
Kiln: Kyoto Kiyomizu Ware (清水焼), Tofukuji Kiln (東福寺窑)
Dimensions: H 5.7 cm (2.24 in) × W 4.5 cm (1.77 in) × L 7.5 cm (2.95 in)
Weight: 86.7 g
Paulownia box (共箱) size: H 7 cm (2.76 in) × W 7.5 cm (2.95 in) × D 9.7 cm (3.82 in)
Material: White porcelain body, overglaze polychrome enamel, hand gilding (描金)
Period: Late Showa to early Heisei era, circa 1975–1985
Included accessories: Paulownia storage box, yellow silk cloth

These two exquisite pieces are traditional kogo (香合), functional decorative incense containers made for the tea ceremony (茶の湯). They are designed to store incense pellets and agarwood powder, serving as standard utensils for incense rituals on the tea tray. Equally suitable for interior display, they combine practical functionality with ornamental aesthetic value.

1. Red Urushi Lacquer Kogo
Handcrafted with a solid wood core and coated in natural red urushi lacquer using classic Japanese gold maki-e (金莳绘) techniques, this piece features an elegant square shape with soft bevelled rounded corners (四方倭角).

The interior is finished with glossy black lacquer. The exterior surface is covered in fine dotted fish roe ground (鱼子地纹), fully decorated with delicate gold paintings of celestial beings (天人), elephants, phoenixes, lions and other mythical auspicious creatures. All figures are vividly rendered with intricate, lustrous gold lines creating rich visual layers, representing fine handmade lacquer craftwork produced in the Showa period.

Minor natural signs of age are visible consistent with its production time. The lacquer surface remains intact without cracks, peeling or missing sections; overall condition is good relative to its age.

2. Mandarin Duck Porcelain Kogo
Made of smooth white porcelain body, the glaze is covered in fine aged crackle craquelure (貫入), crafted in the decorative style inspired by Ninsei (野野村仁清).

Every feather detail of the mandarin duck is hand-painted with vivid red, green and blue overglaze enamel, outlined with full, intact gold gilding. Shaped as a plump mandarin duck split into separate lid and base, it boasts elegant proportions and finely layered painted craftsmanship. An oval impressed kiln seal reading "Tofukuji (東福寺)" is stamped on the unglazed base, the exclusive mark of Kyoto’s Tofukuji Kiln.

Fine natural glaze craquelure forms over decades of storage. There are no chips, dents or restorations on the body, and all coloured enamels and gold detailing are perfectly preserved; overall condition is good relative to its age.

Shipping Notice
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- The photographs form part of the item description. The colour of the item may be slightly different from the photos due to camera hardware and screen display settings.
- The successful bidder will be responsible for any customs duties and taxes (if applicable).
- This item will be mailed by the postal service of Taiwan in the form of airmail with insurance attached.